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The New Orleans Pelicans (3-9) welcome the Denver Nuggets (7-3) to Smoothie King Center Friday for NBA Cup group play. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Nuggets vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Nuggets won 2-1 last season
The Pelicans lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-88 Wednesday, closing as 14.5-point road underdogs. They were led by F Brandon Ingram, who tallied 18 points. The banged-up Pelicans are 0-6 straight up/against the spread (ATS) in their last 6 games, with 4 of the 6 losses coming by at least 15 points.
The Nuggets are quite the opposite, having taken down the Dallas Mavericks 122-120 Sunday. They pushed as 2-point home favorites as C Nikola Jokic dropped 37 points. Denver is 5-0 straight up and 3-1-1 ATS in its last 5 games. It is 4-5-1 ATS on the season and just 1-2 ATS on the road.
Nuggets at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 2:16 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Pelicans +190 (bet $100 to win $190)
- Against the spread: Nuggets -6.5 (-105) | Pelicans +6.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Nuggets at Pelicans key injuries
Nuggets
- F Aaron Gordon (calf) out
- C Nikola Jokic (personal) questionable
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvarado (hamstring) out
- F Herbert Jones (shoulder) out
- G CJ McCollum (adductor) out
- G Dejounte Murray (hand) out
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Nuggets at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 115, Pelicans 104
Moneyline
PASS.
There’s no great value here. Even if Jokic sits, the Nuggets are the better side with the more capable scorers, as most of the Pelicans’ talent is still sidelined. Avoid backing the home underdog.
Against the spread
BET NUGGETS -6.5 (-105).
While the status on MVP candidate Jokic is unknown, as he’s listed as questionable, the Nuggets are scorching hot and have scored at least 121 points in 5 straight games. They have scored more than 120 in 7 of their last 8. Denver is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games.
The Pelicans can’t buy a bucket, and they have tallied 100 or fewer points in 3 of their last 6 games. They are just 2-10 ATS on the season and 2-4 ATS at home. New Orleans is 1-6 ATS as an underdog. It just doesn’t have the scoring to keep pace. Back NUGGETS -6.5 (-105).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 220.5 (-110).
The status of Jokic should have a greater impact on the total, but the Pelicans have just been playing too poorly offensively to consider the Over here. Denver has gone Over in 8 straight games, but could be down its MVP center.
On top of that, the Pelicans play at the 28th-fastest pace and won’t be eager to push the tempo. New Orleans is 2-3 O/U in its last 5 games. Back UNDER 220.5 (-110).
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